When talking about former Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory, the classic Johnny Cash song "I've been everywhere" comes to mind. Gregory has been touring with several other NFL teams across the continent, and his next stop will be Thursday with the Pittsburgh Steelers, per Mark Kaboly of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review.
Gregory has already met with the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, San Diego Chargers and is scheduled to meet with several others after leaving Pittsburgh. So why would a talented pass rusher like Gregory have to travel all over the country to interview with so many teams? Once thought to be a Top 10 draft prospect, after testing positive for marijuana before the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, he has fallen off many team's boards as they view the violation as a major character flaw.
Will he fall to the Steelers at No. 22? That question obviously can't be answered until April 30th when the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft arrives; however, if history is any indicator, the Steelers won't let a failed drug test keep them from drafting a player.
Offensive tackle Mike Adams had a similar fate occur to him before the combine in 2012, and as the Steelers had him on their board and removed him due to the infraction. He then met with the team and begged for them to reconsider. The team listened, and drafted Adams in the second round of the 2012 draft.
Gregory would more than help solidify a questionable pass rush heading into the 2015 season. Gregory put up impressive statistics as a Junior in 2014, all while missing two games due to injury. Gregory, who stands at 6-foot 6-inches and 245 pounds, collected 54 tackles with a team-high 7 sacks and 16 quarterback hurries. If Gregory would fall to Pittsburgh, the Steelers would likely use him as a pass rushing specialist and play in specific situations until he learned the NFL style defense. Not a bad problem to have if the Steelers have the chance to select him in the 1st round.